asked the President of the Board of Trade whether, in view of the fact that an English concern in Germany known as the Imperial Continental Gas Association, which had a practical monopoly of the gas supply in Berlin and its suburbs, has been taken over by the German Gas Company, Limited, he can assure the English shareholders in this concern that they will be compensated for their loss out of the German business in this country?

The question of compensating British subjects injured by the action of the German Government, out of German property in this country, depends on the decision which may ultimately be taken as to the disposal of such property as is now vested in the custodian. Meantime it is open to persons in this country to register their claims against enemy Governments with the Foreign Claims Office, and I understand that such a claim has, in fact, been registered by the Imperial Continental Gas Association.

Is the right hon. Gentleman not in a position to state that this company has, during the War, received a very large sum from Germany in respect of its properties at Frankfurt-on-Maine?

No; I am not aware of it.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is satisfied that the rationing of coke as well as coal has had the desired effect of reducing consumption; whether he is aware that large stocks of coke are now accumulating in the yards of the gas companies owing to the fact that consumers prefer coal to coke for the ordinary purposes of fuel; and whether, in view of this fact, he can see his way to allow coke to go unrationed, providing that a certain proportion of the fuel used by the consumer for household purposes is coke rather than coal?

The whole question in regard to consumption and stocks of coke has been a subject of careful investigation, and steps are being taken to ensure that all coke produced shall be used, and corresponding economies effected throughout the country in the consumption of coal.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the decision to ration gas upon the present lines has resulted in an increased consumption of coal; whether it is more economical for the nation as a whole that gas rather than coal should be used for ordinary heating purposes; and, if so, whether the decision to ration can be subject to some reconsideration?

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, when the first Coal-Rationing Order was made, many householders, in order to help the Government and to save the consumption of coal, had their houses fitted with gas stoves for heating and cooking purposes; whether ho is aware that, on the recent Order for gas reduction, many of those people will be forced to purchase coal for these purposes; will he state what is the effect the new Order on coal will have on these consumers; and, in view of the hardship these recent Orders on gas and coal will have on householders who have done their utmost to help the Government in these matters will he reconsider the whole matter and also allow this House to discuss it before any final decision is made?

I am aware that a considerable number of gas appliances for heating and cooking were installed last year, and that in some of these cases householders may have lately reverted to coal. In connection with the proposed new scheme of coal rationing I am considering whether it may not be practicable to take into account the consumption of gas for heating and cooking purposes, but I must warn householders that whether their fuel is in the form of coal or gas a very material reduction in consumption is absolutely necessary.

In the calculations made, could not note be taken of the gas and electric current used in conjunction with the use of coal and coke—the whole taken into account—so that if there is a reduction of one of these constituents there may be an increased allowance of the other?

If the hon. Gentleman will recall my answer, he will recollect that his suggestion that consideration should be given to the users of gas—and probably of electricity—will be considered with the question of the rationing of coal.

asked what effect the new rationing Gas Order will have on people who use gas for motor cars; and whether their consumption is being cut down in the same way that household consumption has been reduced?

In the case of persons using gas for motor cars drawn from their own source of supply for other purposes, the restriction of the new Order will have effect, but this does not apply to the case of persons obtaining a supply for motor vehicles from other sources, and the method of dealing with this matter is under consideration.

Is it not a fact that the gas companies have informed consumers who have their own charging stations for gas on their own premises, which is taken off the same meter, that no notice will be taken of the extra quantity consumed?

I am not aware that any such notice has been given. As I indicated in my reply, we are taking the subject under consideration at once.

Owing to the importance of the matter, will the right hon. Gentleman communicate with the gas companies?

I will look into the matter.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will state the number of motor cars and wagons for which permission has been given in London for the use of gas; if he will state if the quantity of gas per car is limited; and if any fresh licences have been issued since the recent Gas-Rationing Order?

I regret that, without an amount of labour which would not be justified, it is not. possible to state the number of motor vehicles in any particular area for which permission has been given for the use of gas. The permit does not limit the amount of gas which may be used, but the purposes for which the car may be used are restricted. The issue of new permits was suspended in London and other parts of England before the date of the Lighting, Heating, and Power Order.

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that certain cases in connection with the insurance policies of men killed in action were lately examined by the Director of Public Prosecutions; whether in connection with these cases there was evidence of alteration of policies by means of forgery on the part of the servants of the Prudential Assurance Company; whether any recommendations have been received in relation to these oases in order that the agents of insurances companies who fraudulently alter policies of men killed in action may be made the subject of a criminal prosecution; and, if the recommendations have been received, will the matter be immediately dealt with by the authorities, in view of the many pledges given by the Government that the interests of the serving men will be protected?

I am aware that certain complaints in connection with insurance policies, one of which was on the life of a man killed in action, have recently been investigated by the Director of Public Prosecutions, who came to the conclusion that the evidence obtained was insufficient on which to found a criminal charge. There is no reason why an agent fraudulently altering a policy should not be made the subject of a criminal prosecution if the evidence obtainable is sufficient, and no recommendation for an alteration of the law in this respect has been made.

Did not the right hon. Gentleman receive a recommendation from the Director of Public Prosecutions saying that there should be power to prosecute these people if they did alter these policies, and did he state that he did not appear to have the power to do so?

I am not aware of any such recommendation made, but I will make further inquiry.

Is it not a fact that this company have paid very large sums of money to people insured on peace terms, and have given them the benefit of war risks without any extra charge; further, is there not in this question a reflection upon a very large class of men who have done their best for the country; further—

The hon. Member must give notice of some of those questions.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he has yet come to a decision for recognising the heroism of merchant sailors, who although having been on board torpedoed ships, in some cases more than once, still carry on by going to sea?

I am afraid I can only repeat what I have told the right hon. Gentleman on previous occasions, that there will be no available delay in dealing with this matter, and that he will be informed as soon as a decision is arrived at. If he wishes, I shall be very pleased to explain to him privately how the matter stands at present.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he can announce the arrangements that will be made to curtail tramp on the railways; and whether special railway trains will still continue to form part of the means of locomotion to racecourses?

I hope shortly to have an opportunity of making a statement with regard to the restrictions which I regret it is necessary to apply to railway travelling. The question whether horse-racing should be continued is now being considered by the War Cabinet.

Will special railway trains still continue to form the means of locomotion to racecourses?

I have tried to indicate in my reply that until the War Cabinet has given their decision in regard to horse-racing I cannot give any definite reply as to the trains that may be run.

Are there additional trains at present in connection with race meetings?

Has the right hon. Gentleman not power to prevent special trains being run for race meetings?

I am not aware that any special trains are being run for race meetings. It is, I think, true that in order to deal with the traffic, which is probably increased by racing, extra trains are being run.

Is it not a fact that you cannot go to a race meeting to- day except by train; you have laid down a regulation that you cannot use your motor car for that purpose?

You can walk!

asked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that claims have been made against the Controller of Coal Mines for sum due from him under his guarantee contained in the agreement scheduled to the Coal Mines Control Agreement (Confirmation) Act, 1918, and that such claims have not been met; whether, in view of the assurances which were made in Parliament by the Government on the passing of the Act that the Controller would act reasonably in dealing with applications for payments to the coalowners on account of moneys due to them under the guarantee, he will direct the Controller of Coal Mines to make such payments accordingly; and whether the Controller of Coal Mines has any moneys in hand out of which to make such payments?

Payments of claims under the Coal Mines Agreement have been dealt with as promptly as possible, though delays have occurred in certain cases owing to the failure of the claimants to furnish requisite information. In cases of urgency in which are immediate settlement is not possible payments on account have been made.

asked the President of the Board of Trade if any figures are now available showing what saving, if any, has been effected in the train mileage on the English railways by the Controller of Coal Mines' scheme for redistribution of output; what proportion of such saving is due to the reduction of output in the English area; and what proportion, if any, to the Controller's scheme?

I indicated in the answer given to the hon. and gallant Member on 3rd December that estimates had been prepared by certain railway companies of the saving actually effected, and these tended to confirm the original estimated saving for the country as a whole. Owing to the enormous amount of work involved and the necessity for economy in clerical work, some of the railways have not found it practicable to compile precise details as to the effect of the scheme, but are satisfied as to the help which the scheme has afforded in the present difficult state of railway transport. The estimated saving in train mileage in connection with the scheme did not include any saving which might be due to reduced output. If the hon. and gallant Gentleman would care to do so, the Controller of Coal Mines will be delighted to go into the figures with him in greater detail than it is possible to do by way of question and answer.